Iran hopes for breakthrough in talks by July 20 - FM Zarif

He also said differences between Iran and the P5+1 have not been overcome but considerable progress has been made

VIENNA, July 14, /ITAR-TASS/. Iran hopes for a breakthrough in talks with the six international negotiators on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program - the P5+1 group of countries, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said Sunday.

“I assure you my delegation will be result-oriented. All sides should make efforts in work in the next seven days to reach what is desired,” Zarif said.

Iran says it needs nuclear power to generate electricity, but Western powers led by the United States claim Iran’s eventual aim is to create nuclear weapons.

P5+1 is the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France plus Germany.

Zarif also said differences between Iran and the P5+1 have not been overcome but considerable progress has been made.

“I think we have made headway in Vienna although we have not resolved important problems or removed all differences,” the Iranian foreign minister said. “Nevertheless, we are moving toward the adoption of more complicated decisions.”

Zarif emphasized that Iran does not strive to possess nuclear weapons and urged the six international negotiators to continue intensive consultations.